ANTONIO B. BOTTONE
WESTFIELD – City detectives seized more than $17,000 in cash when they executed a warrant resulting from an investigation into an apparent marijuana dealer.
The detectives were assisted by community policing officer Douglas Lavalley Wednesday evening when they descended on the residence of Antonio B. Bottone, 19, of 12 Gold Street, to execute the warrant.
Det. James Renaudette reports that the detectives found a large amount of cash, $17,220, stacked in several bundles, as well as a large amount of marijuana and other contraband.
He reports that the detective found one vacuum packed package of marijuana weighing more than a pound as well as a somewhat smaller vacuum packed bundle and several much smaller bags of marijuana. In addition, one bag seized appeared to contain hashish and two others contained substances which were not readily identifiable.
Detectives seized $17,220 and about two pounds of marijuana when they executed a warrant Wednesday evening on Gold Street. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
All the contraband will be identified, the evidence officer said, when it is sent to the State Police lab for testing.
In addition, a dozen marijuana seedlings were found to be growing under artificial light in a hydroponic tank in Bottone’s closet.
The detectives also seized a digital scale and a vacuum packaging apparatus designed to store food. Renaudette reports the bags found with the vacuum packing machine do not appear to be the same as the ones used to package the two large bricks of marijuana seized.
Besides the cannabis products found, detectives also seized smaller quantities of two prescription pills for which Bottone had no prescription.
Renaudette reports that a number of pills found to be Clonazepam, a drug used for the short-term relief of anxiety symptoms and for certain types of seizures, were found in a cigar tube. A few labeled doses of suboxone, a drug used to control moderate acute or chronic pain or to treat opiate addiction were also seized.
Twelve marijuana seedlings growing in a hydroponic tank were seized when detectives executed a warrant on Gold Street Wednesday evening. (Photo by Carl E. Hartdegen)
Bottone was arrested for possession of a Class D substance (marijuana) with intent to distribute, for cultivation of a Class D drug, for possession of a Class B drug (suboxone) and possession of a Class C drug (clonazapam).
Det. Lt. David Ragazzini explained that when funds or other property are deemed to be ill gotten gains and ordered forfeited by the court some of the money seized may return to the arresting agency.
He said that the process is not automatic but often the money is divided between the attorney general’s office and the arresting department.
Bottone appeared for arraignment in Westfield District Court yesterday and at one point in the proceeding an assistant district attorney reminded Judge Philip A. Contant that the case in question was the one in which the defendant had $17,000.
“I get the impression he doesn’t have it any more,” the judge replied.
Bottone was released on his personal recognizance and is due back in court on Sept. 25.
Contant appointed attorney Maria Barroso to represent him.
